I think that is an important point actually... My previous martial arts experiences have always been in large group classes where everyone performs movements by number. Whether just punching, or even kata, everything is done treating the whole group as though it was one person.Originally Posted by Geoff
It seems on Okinawa (back in the day..) training was much more personal and one on one. once Kata started being taught in schools, that changed. It is possible that some of the more subtle steps were ommited or modified by funakoshi (and others) to make teaching groups (especially school children) easier.
Also, since funakoshi most likely learned in a very private setting, it is possible that he was taught the kata differently than other students were... Maybe he just preferred back stance to cat stance- so that is what he was allowed to use...?
Also a great point... I studied Aikido as well in the past and we used a stance called Hamnei which is a very similar to the shotokan back stance, except your weight is evenly distributed.Originally Posted by Chris McLean
It seems to me that a lot of okinawan styles actually don't have that back stance. To them, back stance is exactly like front stance, but you turn your upper body to face the rear. So maybe there is something to be said of the samurai japanification of the movements as well as the names of kata......